BUDAPEST: Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson arrived in Budapest on Friday to hold talks with Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban ahead of a crucial parliamentary vote on Stockholm’s NATO accession bid.
Hungary stands as the final hurdle to Sweden’s NATO membership following Turkey’s recent ratification. The Hungarian parliament is slated to cast its vote on Sweden’s bid come Monday.
In the wake of Russia’s incursion into Ukraine, Sweden, along with neighboring Finland, submitted its application to join NATO in May 2022.
“Welcome to Hungary, Swedish PM!” Orban posted on social media platform X, along with a snapshot of their handshake. A joint press conference is scheduled for approximately 11:30 am (1030 GMT) following their bilateral discussions.
The agenda includes talks on enhancing defense and security policy cooperation, as stated by the Swedish government.
Reports from Hungarian pro-government news site Index indicate ongoing negotiations for a substantial military and defense agreement between the two nations.
Hungary currently operates a fleet of 14 Swedish-made Jas-39 Gripen fighter jets under a leasing arrangement initiated in 2001, with two extensions since then.
Earlier in the day, Orban addressed pending military and arms-related matters, stressing their resolution prior to Monday’s parliamentary ratification.
Orban acknowledged ideological disparities, stating Sweden’s stance on the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, but expressed optimism in bridging the value divide.
Under mounting pressure from the United States and fellow EU members to endorse Sweden’s NATO bid, Orban affirmed Budapest’s commitment to ratification last week.
Orban’s nationalist Fidesz party, along with the Christian democratic KDNP, holds a parliamentary majority and is poised to back Sweden’s bid on Monday, with all opposition parties except the far-right Our Homeland movement in agreement.
While Hungary has voiced support for Sweden’s bid, procedural delays persisted amid calls to cease what it termed “vilification” of Orban’s government. Hungary criticized Sweden’s perceived antagonism, particularly on rule-of-law matters.
Earlier this year, Orban invited the Swedish prime minister to Hungary, emphasizing the imperative of nurturing mutual trust through intensified political dialogue.
Finland’s accession to NATO in April 2023 marked the addition of the 31st member to the alliance.
